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New concepts for
allergen-specific immunotherapy
The
production of allergens in recombinant form has opened new
possibilities for the allergen-specific treatment of
allergic diseases. Instead of crude extracts from allergen
sources, e.g. birch pollen extract containing various
allergens but also non-allergenic proteins, defined and
standardized recombinant allergens can be administered to
the patient. In addition, genetic engineering of recombinant
allergens allows to specifically change particular features.
For example, the IgE-binding activity of an allergen can be
reduced. Another example is the addition of adjuvanticity to
allergens by constructing hybrid proteins consisting of
allergens and proteins with immunomodulating capacities. The
development of such allergen-modulator
conjugates is
one major aim of the Christian
Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation.
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